We sat down with each of The Second Coming athletes to talk about the game. Today: Shawn Marion.

Check out Shawn Marion’s video interview along with the rest of The Second Coming at nikebasketball.com.

On the game:
Growing up, man, it was way more physical. They let everybody get away with coming across the lane, getting checked and stuff like that. Right now, nah, ain’t none of that going on. It’s physical still, but as far as if somebody got a free cut to the lane, you just can’t reach out there and check them. Back in the day, you know, when you were watching the bad boys play, you come across that lane – POW! And that’s all it was. Now you do that, it’s a foul…it’s probably up and down a lot more. Back then it was more of a half-court game…I think now it’s more up and down, everybody’s trying to get buckets now.

On his impact:
I want to go down as one of…probably as the best small forward ever to play this game. And I’m on pace to do that. I’m trying to keep moving on up the ladder… the approach I take to the game, I think it’s not just about yourself, it’s about your team. You only go as far as your team goes.

On the future:
Man, do what I do, just be the Matrix…I can’t sum it up other than that. Because the league is getting younger and younger every year, you know, and I’m getting older, so my ups are going down a little bit. (Laughs.) But at the same time, it’s getting exciting. It’s keeping the game and the fans into it, it makes it more fun.